What is UNESCO?

« The United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisation (UNESCO) was created on 16/11/1945. For this specialised United Nations agency, what matters most is not to build classrooms in devastated countries or restore World Heritage sites.

The Organisation has a vast and ambitious objective: building peace in the minds of men and women through education, science, culture and communication. »

With significant expertise in the cultural domain, UNESCO has developed a body of international instruments for the safeguarding of the world's creative diversity. Among these documents, the 1972 Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage is considered one of the most effective international instruments in terms of the preservation of heritage sites.

By taking into account the cultural and natural aspects of heritage, the World Heritage Convention reminds us of the interaction between human beings and nature as well as the fundamental need to maintain balance between the two.

The first 12 properties were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978.
The List currently features 962 properties. These include 745 cultural, 188 natural and 29 mixed properties in 157 States.
38 properties are currently included for France.